GNTC's HR director receives advanced certification
Elizabeth Barksdale, director of Human Resources at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC), recently received certification from the Society of Human Resources Management, making her one of three directors to hold that distinction in the Technical College System of Georgia.
The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) partnered with the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) to offer selected Human Resources professionals from among TCSG’s 22 technical colleges a chance to obtain or enhance their professional certifications. Eight Human Resources professionals who were not certified obtained their SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP); Barksdale, who already possessed SHRM-CP certification, earned the SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Barksdale said.
“This was the first time that TCSG has provided this opportunity,” Barksdale said. “TCSG’s goal is to ensure that all TCSG Human Resources professionals have the competencies needed for their roles by providing them with the opportunity to gain certification.”
Barksdale started virtual training for the new certification in January 2023 and met once or twice weekly for instruction. She passed the SHRM-SCP exam in December, she said.
“I studied throughout the year,” Barksdale said. “I feel extremely accomplished after passing one of the highest and most notable Human Resources certifications. I like to set personal goals for myself and usually find myself starting something new every few years to advance my career.”
Accomplishing her SHRM-SCP has been a catalyst for Barksdale to volunteer as president-elect for 2024 for the Greater Rome SHRM chapter, she said.
Barksdale said she has more than 12 years of Human Resources and operational support experience through the military, technology industry and higher education. She is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, completing combat tours Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, where she served aboard an aircraft carrier and later on shore.
Barksdale holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Management, a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and an associate degree in Business Administration. She joined GNTC in January 2020 as assistant director of Human Resources and became director in August 2020.
Barksdale said she received a one-year SHRM national membership for free as part of the process. She was also listed on the global directory on the SHRM website upon certification.
SHRM is the world’s largest Human Resources membership organization. Barksdale characterized SHRM-SCP as an advanced certification for a seasoned professional who is performing at the strategic level.
Professionals maintain certification by earning 60 professional development credits of continued learning in person or webinars, projects and SHRM conferences within a three-year cycle or by retaking the certification, she said.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths. This past year, 11,601 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,071 students and an additional enrollment of 3,530 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start. GNTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia and an Equal Opportunity Institution.
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